"It represents a low-risk and affordable step change in protection, mobility and firepower for the Australian Army in any future operations."

Selected by seven countries with more than 1,400 contracted vehicles, the Patria AMV is said to have attained a strong combat reputation, primarily based on the strength of its operational performance with the Polish Army in Afghanistan.

BAE’s manned E35 turret system has been used on UN and Nato missions worldwide, including Afghanistan, and is currently fitted to the successful CV90 family of infantry fighting vehicles operated by seven nations.

"The AMV35 is an outstanding combat reconnaissance platform."

According to its manufacturer, features of the E35 turret will provide the AMV35 with real battlefield advantage for the Australian soldiers through game-changing levels of accuracy and weight of fire.

If selected, the BAE-Patria team are scheduled to manufacture and support the AMV35 in Australia, securing and retaining in-country capability, while making significant contribution to the Australian economy throughout the expected more than 30-year life of the vehicles.

The decision for local production aims to ensure that there will be opportunities for involvement and content for Australian suppliers.

The Land 400 Phase 2 project focuses on delivering a replacement for the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle, which has been used by the Australian Defence Force in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, and is scheduled to reach the end of its life by 2021.